Ex-Heads of Marijuana Prohibition Industry Call on DOJ to Keep Mexican Marijuana Cartels in Business

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Eight former heads of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a joint statement Tuesday, calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to prevent Colorado and Washington from creating regulations for businesses to cultivate and sell marijuana to adults in accordance with laws adopted by voters in November. More information at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/05/dea-marijuana_n_2810347.html

The statements were issued via a national anti-marijuana advocacy organization one day prior to Attorney General Eric Holder's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Statement from Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project and an official proponent of the successful Colorado initiative:

"It is not surprising that these ex-heads of the marijuana prohibition industry are taking action to maintain the policies that kept them and their colleagues in business for so long. Their desire to keep marijuana sales in an underground market favors the drug cartels, whereas the laws approved in Colorado and Washington favor legitimate, tax-paying businesses. Marijuana prohibition has failed, and voters are ready to move on and adopt a more sensible approach. It's time for these former marijuana prohibitionists to move on too."

Statement from Steve Fox, national political director for the Marijuana Policy Project:

"President Obama said in December that we need to have a discussion about how to reconcile state and federal marijuana laws. He did so because he understands that the American people, starting with the voters in Colorado and Washington, are ready to put the failed policy of marijuana prohibition in the past. As states take the lead on reform, the federal government should work with the states, not against them. The Cold War-like mentality demonstrated by the former DEA heads is as outdated as the Cold War itself."